LDS NEST BLOG

We posted a General Conference FHE last conference here. Here it is as a reminder. Included is a memory game that can use this conference's talks. It can be used anytime, maybe even become a family tradition. Maybe even include root beer floats. Yay! Click on the images for the download.

Even if you don't have bottle caps we've got you covered. Included are paper caps. JustPrint • Cut • Write • Play

Life's a little slower for us. Yesterday the Rainbow Maker and I did a little art project. Here's how her's turned out.

Rainbow Maker's Art

http://ge.tt/3JWzArt/v/0?c

It's the Church's 2014 Mutual theme, here with my design. I wanted to see how this type of design would turn out with it. It's a hand drawn, ink drawing and I kind of like it. I did my print on watercolor paper and watercolors. She did here's on smooth art paper and markers.

And because some of you aren't in YW here is a blank one to use. This might work for youth to color in during General Conference and put a quote in the blank section. Or maybe something for Primary. You can tell us how you thought to use it.

When I heard this while listening to General Conference I knew I'd share it with you Nesties. I'm sure alot of you remember this.

President Thomas S. Monson shared the experience of Jay Hess, an airman who was shot down over North Vietnam in the 1960s: “For two years his family had no idea whether he was dead or alive. His captors in Hanoi eventually allowed him to write home but limited his message to less than 25 words.” President Monson asks: “What would you and I say to our families if we were in the same situation—not having seen them for over two years and not knowing if we would ever see them again? Wanting to provide something his family could recognize as having come from him and also wanting to give them valuable counsel, Brother Hess wrote [the following words]: ‘These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.’”7What words would you write to your children if you had 25 words or less?General Conference April 2013 • Rosemary M. Wixom

Before conference was over (in all honesty probably before her talk was over) I had written my 25 words. Quick. Raw. From the gut. Doing something like that, spontaneously, gets to the instinctual, real thing. Here's what I felt I would say to my family if I were in that circumstance -

My 25 Words

Love, learn of, and follow God. Love yourself and others. Repent. Forgive. Have a family and serve them. Have vision, see eternally. I love you.

At that moment, if I had 25 words that would be it.

Sometimes it's just good to hear what others say. One of our blog commenters Pebbles & Pigtails had the same idea about 25 words too. It would also be good to here your words.

Have you taken the challenge?What would you write to your children if you had 25 words?

Write to your children.25 words.Go.

I'm still on a Conference high, so I'm sharing my thoughts on the latest talk I've read. In his talk, Dean M. Davies talks about his experience with an earthquake in San Francisco.

Have you ever been in an earthquake? I was once. I don't even remember how old I was. Stomping around the house I thought it was me who started the shaking in the kitchen. Looking down the hallway I saw my mother running towards me, but everything was moving side-to-side. I thought I was shaking the house! She grabbed me and we sat under a red metal bunk bed until the earthquake was over.

My mother was prepared and ready to help me when I had no idea what was going on. I had never experienced an earthquake before, nor did I know what to do. She took that opportunity to teach me so I would be prepared for any future earthquakes.

The same should happen in our homes; preparing ourselves and our children for spiritual "earthquakes". We are not alone and we have someone with experience to turn to. We must remember to utilize the Lord!

"Brother's and sisters, none of us would knowingly construct our homes, places of work, or sacred houses of worship on sand or rubble without appropriate plans and materials. Let us accept the Savior’s invitation to come unto Him. Let us build our lives upon a safe and a sure foundation." -Dean M. Davies

Let's remember it! If you love the quote above, then feel free to pin the image.

My husband, Nathanael, and I celebrated our two year anniversary this past weekend! We went to the Sea Life Aquarium in Kansas City and found Nemo, because that’s how all adults celebrate things. I asked my followers on my photography page for the best marriage advice they've ever heard. Here is what they said:

Never go to bed mad, sad, hurt, misunderstood, or unhappy at each other; go to sleep with love in your heart for your spouse.

Honor your temple covenants.

Never stop playing together.

Keep a close relationship with Christ.

Laugh.

Pray together.

Use the language of loyalty; we, ours, us

Never talk trash on your spouse to anyone no matter how mad you are or how interested the listener is.

Talk to each other about everything; lose sleep if you have to.

Thank you all for taking the time to share how you keep a marriage strong! If you didn't get a change to share, leave the best marriage advice you've ever heard in the comment section below!

I love General Conference! I always look forward to it, so excited to get some more direction. I learned so much, but I tried to narrow it down to the most important thing for me.

"My part matters because I matter." The thought is from Sister Elaine S. Dalton's talk. Sometimes I compare myself to what other people my age are doing; they have careers, are in school, are traveling, etc. I look at myself; I never finished college, never had a career, and haven't traveled outside of the west and central United States. I start to feel sorry for myself and see all of the "unfinished" things I've done. I start think that what I'm not doing isn't as important, but it is! I realize it doesn't matter what I've done or haven't done in the past, what matters is where I am now, where I am willing to go, and what I am willing to do for the Lord.

What I do matters because I matter to the Lord. What you do matters because you matter to the Lord. We all matter, and like Sister Dalton said, we can make a difference because we are different. One of my personal goals from Conference is to stop the pity parties, get outside myself, and make a difference where I am. I don't have to have a career. I don't have to be in school or travel to some exotic place to make a difference. I can make a difference where I am now, in the Middle-of-Nowhere, Missouri, and you can make a difference where you are too.

Be happy, my Nesties! Let's make a difference, no matter where we are!